Olympic diving champion Melissa Wu to deliver 2025 Wang Gungwu Lecture

Australian diving icon Melissa Wu will deliver this year's Wang Gungwu Lecture, which celebrates Chinese Australians' contributions to business, political, scientific, sporting and cultural industries. 

After announcing her retirement from diving this week, Wu's much-anticipated address will premiere on iview on Tuesday 25 February 2025 at 3:00pm AEDT and on ABC TV on Saturday 8 March 2025 at 12:30pm AEDT. Wu will explore the pressures and challenges she has faced in her time as an elite athlete and share little-known stories from her upbringing and how it shaped who she is today.

Wu has competed in more Olympic and Commonwealth Games than any other Australian diver (five of each) and has won 60 medals for Australia at different international championships. Wu made sporting history early in her career, being the youngest Australian diver to win an Olympic medal for synchronised diving at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  

Wu says, "My childhood, my family and my heritage have arguably played the most significant role in shaping who I am today. I'm honoured to be this year's Wang Gungwu speaker, and talk about my experiences as part of it." 

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says "Melissa Wu's journey is one that has inspired Australians for two decades. I am thrilled that she is delivering the Wang Gungwu Lecture, which provides a platform for celebrating the contributions of Chinese Australians." 

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said "We are delighted to announce Melissa Wu as this year's lecturer, given her outstanding sporting legacy and inspiring personal story. The annual Wang Gungwu Lecture, held in partnership with the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, is an opportunity to hear from Chinese Australian community leaders and underscores the ABC's important role in producing high-quality, bespoke programming that connects audiences across the Indo-Pacific region with the diverse voices and perspectives of Australian storytelling." 

About the Wang Gungwu Lecture 

The Wang Gungwu Lecture, named after eminent Chinese historian Professor Wang Gungwu AO, CBE, is an annual lecture celebrating the substantial and longstanding contributions of Chinese Australians to Australia's national story. 

The Lecture is a partnership between ABC International and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).  

Previous speakers have included business leader Ming Long AM, Australian Children's Laureate and author/illustrator Gabrielle Wang, and renowned paediatrician Dr John Yu AC.  

Where to watch: 

• The 2025 Wang Gungwu Lecture will premiere on ABC iview at 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 25 February. 

• It will be broadcast on ABCTV in Australia on Saturday 8 March at 12:30pm AEDT. 

• It will also be available on demand via ABC Asia from 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 25 February.